Read Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) Online

Authors: Breanna Hayse

Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) (25 page)

“Yes, sir, Uncle Scott.” The three grinned.

He grunted. “And when am I to expect another house full of hens?”

“Maybe during winter break? Of course, we have to work out some details,” Dr. Quimby said, eyeing Scott. The one ugly detail being Randolph.

“Let’s aim for that. And ladies? You do remember what we talked about regarding respect and consideration? Even if others don’t treat you the same?” Scott asked.

“We want changes in our lives and things might have to start with us,” Cecily said, hugging her sisters who sat on either side of her.

Monique smiled at her. “I like you when you’re so nice, Cissy.”

“I like being so nice, Moni.”

Dr. Quimby felt himself choke with emotion. Maybe the ugliness can be broken before these children passed it to the next generation. It gave him hope. His eyes widened suddenly.

“Did you feel that?” Michael asked. Rich and Sam nodded, running out to the deck with their father on their heels. The others followed.

“What is going on? Oh my god!” Scott gasped. Blue whales were breaching high in the canyon, their massive bodies launching out of the water with a power and strength never before witnessed. Sam held her breath, the images washing into her in floods.

“Sam? What’s happening?” Jen asked, clutching her arm. Sam felt tears running down her face.

“They brought someone for me to meet. Excuse me, but I have to go,” she said, running to change. The family watched as she dove over the side and into the inlet. They could see her red wetsuit a short distance before she went under.

“What is happening? Joe?”

“The baby that was born the other night is here. That’s all I know,” Michael said, holding Jen.

“Is she going to be safe out there? Those animals are unbelievable,” Cecily asked, looking worriedly at Dr. Quimby.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “She’s in the safest place she could be except for home. She’s with her pod,” he said, closing his eyes and trying to relax his mind to feel the swirls. A tiny smile played on his lips as he caught an image of his calf with the new baby. They were both beautiful.

Michael walked over to hug him. “She sent you a present.”

“I saw it. Wow,” he whispered.

Sam returned an hour later as the giant pod dispersed. She was glowing with happiness.

“Did you feel it?” she asked her father as he held her tightly, tears in his eyes.

“I felt both things. You refused. Why?”

“Because it’s part of who I am now. It would have changed that. I hoped with you being integrated now, you would understand.” Sam looked up at him with worry in her eyes.

He smiled, holding her closer. “I’m glad you did. I’m at peace with it.”

“What are you talking about, sis?” Michael asked, surrounded by the rest of the family.

Dr. Quimby kissed the top of her head. “The blues offered to heal her. She refused. It would have cost her the pod. And our connection.”

“Oh Lord…” Scott said, eyes welling. “Would you have been normal again?”

“Only with the breathing and balance situation. They couldn’t fix anything else that was broken. Too many pieces were missing, but I asked. I’m sorry, Rich.”

“Sorry? Why are you sorry? I told you I am thrilled about being an uncle only. Scott never missed out and I won’t either. God, I love you!” Rich said, tears running down his cheeks. Sam embraced him as he cried into her neck, unsure of what to do with this unexpected show of raw emotion. Dr. Quimby ushered everyone into the house to give them some privacy.

“Rich? Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“You would have lost the connection with me, too, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes. I would be completely cut off. Forever. No more swirling.”

“You would have lost our bond.”

“Yes.”

“You did this for me, too, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Sam said quietly, stroking his head. “What we have is too… too perfect. But I need you to be completely honest. Are you sure you don’t want kids? I saw you with Monique.”

“Like an uncle. Like Scott. You have to believe me, baby. I only want you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, kissing him. She tasted his tears as she pressed her lips against his face. Her head started to spin, colors and images flying inside her mind. Her knees wobbled unsteadily.

“You’re swirling me.” She crumbled in his strong arms.

He smiled, cupping her chin in his hands. “Yes, I am.”

***

Randolph frowned as the three girls greeted them happily.

Monique tugged on his sleeve. “Excuse me, Papa, but would you like me to get you and Mama something to drink?”

“Pardon me?”

“Yes, Randy, would you like a coke or a beer?” Cecily asked, her hand on Monique’s shoulder. He numbly nodded, mumbling ‘beer’.

“Mother? Would you care for anything? Maybe some tea? Uncle Joe? Uncle Scott?” Cherell asked. Penelope also nodded numbly. The men shook their heads and verbally thanked them for asking. The three girls smiled and went into the kitchen.

Randolph turned to glare at them. “What the fuck did you do to my children?” he demanded sharply.

Dr. Quimby looked confused. “There are ladies here, Randolph. Please watch your language. Now, what do you mean? They seem fine to me.”

“Exactly. Did you buy them things I couldn’t afford?”

“Randy, please—” Penelope started.

He glared at her. “Don’t start with me.”

“No, you don’t start with me. The girls are happy! Why does that piss you off?” she asked, standing up to glare at him. He clenched his fist and the four other men tensed. No woman in their home would ever be abused.

“Do you really want to try that? I will remind you that we have a prenup. You ever touch me in an abusive manner and you lose everything. Including your child,” she hissed, staring into his angry eyes.

“You fucking bitch.”

“It’s also in the prenup that if you ever threaten to harm me or give me reason to divorce you, that you get nothing. Your civility is bought and paid for and if you can’t give that, there’s the door.”

“I ought to—”

“Ought to what, Randolph?” Dr. Quimby stepped between them, staring down at the man, muscles tensed. “I’ve had it with you hurting people who care about you. Yes, the girls are happy. They discovered what love looks and feels like. Penelope deserves the same. It is your choice to refuse it, but you will never, ever threaten a woman in my home. Got it?” Dr. Quimby growled in a low and deadly tone, as he seemed to grow before his uncle’s eyes. He didn’t waver as Randolph stared back. The shorter man finally broke his stare.

“Get your things, we’re leaving. Call a cab,” he barked at Penelope. The Riley girls stood frozen, drinks in their hands, witnessing the scene. Sam and Jen stood beside them, a wall of protection as their men surrounded the girl’s mother.

“How does it feel to be bullied, Randy? These girls are wonderful human beings that you seem intent on destroying. Just like you tried with Joe. You failed with Joe and if this family has anything to say about it, you will fail with them. All FOUR of them,” Scott growled, standing next to his best friend. Penelope stared at Scott in shock.
They were protecting her
?

“Fuck all of you,” Randolph hissed. “Get your things! NOW!”

“Papa, it’s not nice to swear. It hurts peoples’ feelings,” Monique said innocently, ducking instinctively as he whipped around with his hand raised.

Rich grabbed his wrist, squeezing until the man fell on his knees to the floor. “Don’t you ever strike that child in anger or I’ll kill you,” Rich growled, seeing fear rise in the older man’s eyes. Rich pushed him onto his rump, finger in his face. “Like it or not, these women have a family who loves and cares for them. You will honor that if you know what’s good for you.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Randolph hissed as he still sat hunkered on the ground.

“I am this child’s favorite uncle.” He picked up the frightened little girl. “And your worst nightmare. Get out of our home.”

“You have no right—”

“He certainly does. He will be my son-in-law one day and will wear our mark. Get out, Randolph. There will always be a place here for these girls, but you are no longer welcome,” Dr. Quimby commanded, his voice booming through the living room.

“Let’s go,” Randolph demanded to his family.

Penelope held her arm in front of her daughters. “No, you go. It’s over, Randy. No more.”

“How dare you?”

“Randolph, you have done nothing but hurt people your whole life. Why don’t you get some help and find out why? Everyone deserves to be happy. Even you,” Michael said, standing next to Scott.

Sputtering, the man turned and left, slamming the door behind him. Penelope turned to her protectors. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“You’re family, Pen. We’re here for you,” Dr. Quimby said, embracing her shaking body. She started to cry, confessing the years of fear she had lived after Randolph had broken her wrist following Monique’s birth. She apologized to her daughters, telling them that her fear of Randolph hurting them was the reason she allowed them to go to boarding school. She held her baby, begging the child’s forgiveness for those days she was not present to stop Randolph from hurting her. Forgiveness flooded the room while Penelope tightly embraced Dr. Quimby. She was free.

The Riley girls prepared to leave two days later. Penelope had contacted her attorney immediately and locked Randolph from all funds. The staff at their home in England had been instructed to immediately change the locks and not allow Randolph any access. They were to move his things into a truck and leave him the keys and a full tank of gas with a Petro card. She wanted to make sure he would drive as far as possible, and ensured it by promising arrest if he was ever seen again.

“Are you going to be all right?” Dr. Quimby asked, walking the girls to the car.

Penelope smiled, hugging him warmly. “We will be fine. I’m thinking about getting a place back east and opening an agency. I wanted to go back into fashion design and Randy never allowed me.”

“You can do anything you desire. All of you can. I want to say how proud I am of you and your girls. We are here if you ever need us. Just ask.” He smiled at the beaming faces before him. After they departed for the airport, Dr. Quimby gathered his family close. “We learned something important, didn’t we?”

“That you’re always right?” Michael grinned.

“That I don’t have to do anything when I have my men around?” Sam asked.

“That some things are more important than we could ever know?” Rich added, kissing Sam’s head.

“That I’m gonna be a great mom?” Jen smiled, holding Michael.

“That I’m really hungry and if I’m not fed soon, I’m going to bite something. Or someone,” Scott snarled, eyeing Sam. She shrieked and ran with him hot on her heels.

Dr. Quimby laughed, arm around Rich’s shoulders. “That there is nothing stronger than love.”

THE END.

Breanna Hayse

“I write what I know. With few exceptions, my scenarios are pulled from either personal experience or observation. I've served overseas as an Intell Specialist in the USMC, work as a nurse, and have degrees in Biology (pre-med) and a masters in Psych. Specialty? Deviant behavior and alternative lifestyles, of course. I put all of this together and try to bring about a fun, unique and, hopefully, thought-provoking reading experience.”

Visit her site here:

http://www.breannahayse.com

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